Beth Shapiro Kaufman

For high-net-worth individuals, families, and professionals across Washington, D.C., and beyond, managing wealth and planning for its seamless transfer to future generations involves navigating an intricate web of tax laws and legal considerations. Estate planning is far more than just drafting a will; it's a strategic process that aims to preserve assets, minimize tax burdens, and ensure your legacy is handled according to your precise wishes. When it comes to these complex and often sensitive financial matters, having an attorney with deep expertise in tax and estate law is not just an advantage—it's a necessity. This article introduces you to Beth Shapiro Kaufman, a highly respected legal professional in Washington, D.C., specializing in sophisticated estate planning and tax matters.

Beth Shapiro Kaufman is a distinguished attorney whose practice focuses on the nuances of estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes, as well as the income taxation of trusts and estates. Her impressive background, including significant experience within the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Tax Policy, provides her with a unique insight into the development and interpretation of tax laws. This enables her to offer comprehensive and forward-thinking advice to clients facing complex financial and generational planning decisions. As a Member at Caplin & Drysdale, Chartered, a highly regarded firm in D.C., Ms. Kaufman is at the forefront of helping individuals and families create robust estate plans that are both tax-efficient and aligned with their personal values.

For those in the District of Columbia looking to safeguard their wealth and ensure a secure financial future for their loved ones, Ms. Kaufman's expertise offers invaluable guidance. Her professional yet empathetic approach to these deeply personal matters makes her a trusted advisor for clients seeking sophisticated estate planning solutions right here in D.C.

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Beth Shapiro Kaufman practices at Caplin & Drysdale, Chartered, located at a highly central and accessible address in Washington, D.C.: 1 Thomas Cir NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA. This prime location places her office within the prestigious Thomas Circle area, a well-known landmark in the city's Northwest quadrant.

The office's position near Thomas Circle ensures excellent accessibility for clients from across the District of Columbia and the broader metropolitan area. Public transportation is a convenient option, with several Metro stations within easy walking distance, including McPherson Square (Orange, Silver, Blue Lines) and Farragut North (Red Line). Numerous Metrobus routes also serve the immediate vicinity, providing comprehensive coverage for commuters. For those who prefer to drive, the area around Thomas Circle offers a selection of commercial parking garages, though, like much of downtown D.C., it's advisable to plan ahead for parking, especially during peak hours.

The firm's presence in a prominent professional building in such a central D.C. location underscores its commitment to client convenience and its integration into the city's legal and financial landscape. This accessibility ensures that clients can comfortably and efficiently reach Ms. Kaufman's office for consultations and meetings related to their sensitive estate and tax planning needs.

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Beth Shapiro Kaufman brings a wealth of specialized knowledge to her practice, focusing on high-level tax and estate planning for affluent individuals and families. Her services are designed to help clients navigate complex federal tax laws and create robust strategies for wealth preservation and transfer. Her core offerings include:

• Sophisticated Estate Planning: Designing and implementing comprehensive estate plans that reflect a client's specific values and family needs, with a strong focus on tax efficiency. This includes drafting complex wills, trusts (such as revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, and charitable trusts), and other related documents to manage assets during life and transfer them effectively upon death.

• Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer (GST) Tax Planning: Advising on strategies to minimize federal gift and GST taxes, which can significantly impact intergenerational wealth transfers. This involves understanding complex rules around exemptions, allocations, and planning for transfers to grandchildren or more remote descendants.

• Income Taxation of Trusts and Estates: Providing counsel on the unique income tax rules applicable to trusts and estates, ensuring compliance and identifying opportunities for tax savings in these structures.

• Tax Controversies with the IRS: Representing clients in tax controversies involving gift and estate tax issues. This includes assisting with IRS ruling requests, audits, and other dispute resolution processes, leveraging her prior experience at the U.S. Treasury Department to advocate effectively for her clients.

• Business and Succession Planning for Closely-Held Companies: Working with owners of closely-held businesses to integrate business succession into their broader estate plan. This involves addressing issues like leadership changes, intergenerational transfers, liquidity events, and negotiating buy-sell agreements to minimize taxes and prevent disputes.

• Advising Other Professionals: Providing counsel to other lawyers and professionals on complex issues related to estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes, demonstrating her recognized expertise in the field.

Ms. Kaufman's deep technical knowledge and extensive experience in both the private sector and government equip her to handle the most intricate tax and estate planning challenges for her clients.

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Beth Shapiro Kaufman's reputation as a leading authority in estate planning and tax law is built upon several significant features and highlights:

• Distinguished Government Experience: A key differentiator is her six years of service in the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Tax Policy (1995-2001). In this role, she had principal responsibility for all tax policy matters affecting trusts and estates, including legislative and regulatory developments. This unique background provides her with unparalleled insight into tax law creation and interpretation.

• Recognized Expert in Tax and Estate Law: Ms. Kaufman is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), a prestigious professional organization for trust and estate lawyers. She currently chairs ACTEC's Estate and Gift Tax Committee and formerly chaired its Tax Policy Study Committee and Washington Affairs Committee, indicating her leadership and influence in the field.

• Academic and Thought Leadership: She serves as an Adjunct Faculty Member at Georgetown University Law Center (and previously the University of Miami) where she teaches LLM-level classes on generation-skipping transfer tax. She also co-authors "Capital Letters," a leading publication from ACTEC, providing insights into legislative and regulatory developments in estate tax reform.

• High Net-Worth Client Focus: Her practice specifically caters to high-net-worth individuals and families, indicating her experience and capability in handling large and complex estates with sophisticated tax planning needs.

• Client-Praised Communication Skills: Clients and peers laud her for her "deep knowledge and clear explanations" and her "exceptional level of technical knowledge and great communication skills," noting that she "keeps the best interests of clients at the forefront of her legal analysis and planning."

• Highly Respected by Peers: She is consistently recognized by prestigious legal guides like Chambers High Net Worth as a top private wealth adviser, with peers referring to her as "at the very top of her field" and "very well known and well regarded."

These features underscore Ms. Kaufman's profound expertise, her significant contributions to tax policy, and her dedication to providing exceptional service to her clients.

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Based on publicly available information, there are no specific promotions or special offers explicitly stated by Beth Shapiro Kaufman or Caplin & Drysdale, Chartered. Law firms specializing in highly complex and sophisticated areas like estate planning and tax law for high-net-worth individuals typically do not offer generalized promotions.

However, it is a common professional practice for such firms to offer initial consultations. These consultations are crucial for prospective clients to discuss their specific estate planning and tax needs, allow the attorney to assess the complexity of the situation, and determine if there's a good fit for representation. While these initial meetings may sometimes involve a fee, they provide an invaluable opportunity to gain preliminary legal insight and understand the potential scope of services.

For individuals or families in Washington, D.C., considering comprehensive estate and tax planning, it is highly advisable to contact Beth Shapiro Kaufman's office directly using the provided contact information. This will allow you to inquire about their consultation process, fee structure, and how they can best address your unique financial and estate planning goals.

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For those in Washington, D.C., seeking expert legal counsel in sophisticated estate planning and tax law, you can reach Beth Shapiro Kaufman at Caplin & Drysdale, Chartered, using the following contact details:

• Address: 1 Thomas Cir NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA

• Phone: (202) 862-5062

• Mobile Phone: +1 202-862-5062

When contacting the office, it is helpful to briefly outline the nature of your estate planning or tax concerns. Having an overview of your assets, family structure, and any specific goals you have in mind can facilitate a more productive initial conversation and help the firm direct your inquiry appropriately to ensure you receive the most relevant and timely assistance.

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For individuals and families in Washington, D.C., with significant assets and complex financial situations, Beth Shapiro Kaufman stands out as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended legal professional for their estate planning and tax needs. Her practice, situated at 1 Thomas Cir NW, places her firmly within the heart of D.C.'s professional and financial district, making her accessible to a broad local clientele.

What truly makes Ms. Kaufman an invaluable resource for locals is her unparalleled expertise, particularly her deep understanding of federal tax law derived from her tenure at the U.S. Treasury Department. This insider perspective, combined with her extensive experience in private practice, allows her to craft highly sophisticated and tax-efficient estate plans that effectively navigate the ever-evolving regulatory landscape. For D.C. residents, who often face unique complexities due to the city's role as a national and international hub, having an attorney with such specialized knowledge in estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes is critical for preserving wealth across generations.

Furthermore, her active role in leading professional organizations like ACTEC and her academic contributions demonstrate her commitment to staying at the forefront of her field and influencing tax policy. This level of engagement ensures that her clients receive advice that is not only current but also proactive in anticipating future legal and tax changes. Beth Shapiro Kaufman is more than just an estate planner; she is a strategic partner who empowers D.C. locals to secure their financial legacy with confidence and peace of mind.